BFIS speed networking lunch helps undergraduates

Seen here are some of the undergraduates and insurance professionals who took part in the BFIS Speed Networking lunch on December 28, 2012. *Photo supplied

MONDAY, DEC. 31: Twenty collegiate scholars took part in the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies speed networking event last Friday.

For the past several years the BFIS Mentor Network Committee has held networking lunches and receptions for BFIS scholars and other students interested in careers in the insurance sector, but this was the first time the group had used this type of format which paired the undergraduates with industry professionals.

Each pairing of an undergraduate student with an insurance professional — the majority of whom were BFIS alumni — lasted eight minutes. The students were able to talk about their career goals, plans for next summer’s employment and the benefits of being mentored.

When the eight minutes were up, the students moved on to the next interviewer, so that by the time they stopped for lunch, each student had had four interviews.

James Botelho, chairman of the BFIS Mentor Network Committee said he was “delighted” that the event had gone so smoothly and that the feedback from both the volunteer interviewers and the students had been so positive.

Cathy Lapsley, executive director of BFIS said she would be reviewing the interviewer’s notes and BFIS would reach out to any students who were still looking for mentors, summer employment or needed more career advice.

She said in a press release: “We will certainly use this template for our summer networking parties, as it is an excellent structure for making each event more meaningful for all participants.”